When I started this book, I went back to my old diaries from when I was a kid. I’m talking those little ones that come with a lock and tiny key and a slightly puffy cover that kids get—that’s how young I was when I started having celebrity crushes. My mother used to say when other kids talked in school about Mickey Mouse and Alvin and the Chipmunks, I was listing my favourite soap stars and pop singers. She laughs about it now, but she was mortified when my pre-school teacher would bring it up.

But my kiddie crush on George Michael did pay off because I began writing little stories about a character I created inspired by that crush named Andrew Holiday and the girl next door, Cecily Taylor Damone, who would end up dating him. I started writing little scenes here and there for the characters in elementary school, but finally got a book plot in place a few years ago and that is how Can Dreams Come True came about. I was almost done with the story—I thought I knew my ending—and then tragedy struck and George passed away.

Looking back on those old journals and diaries, I can see just how much of an influence George had on my life. Even when he was staying private and not putting out new music, his previous work was always there for all of his fans. Even though he is no longer with us, George inspired me not only with his music during difficult times in my life, but he continues to inspire me as I listen to the music with more experience and maturity.